The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the winners of the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC). This ambitious initiative was launched under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision to create a secure, indigenous web browser tailored to Indian users while ensuring compliance with national data protection laws. The challenge, conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bangalore, sought to foster innovation and strengthen India’s technological independence.
At an event organised by MeitY on March 20, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, commended the participants for their creativity, technical prowess, and commitment to India’s digital future. He emphasised that the challenge marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a ‘Product Nation,’ shifting from a service-based IT economy to one that develops competitive and scalable software products.
After rigorous evaluation, the top three winners of the IWBDC were:
- Winner: Zoho Corporation – Awarded Rs 1 crore
- First Runner-Up: Team PING – Awarded Rs 75 lakh
- Second Runner-Up: Team Ajna – Awarded Rs 50 lakh
Additionally, Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention for their innovative cross-platform browser design. The Minister expressed his satisfaction at seeing emerging talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reinforcing the depth of Bharat’s technological potential beyond metropolitan hubs.
Why an Bharat’s web browser matters
The initiative to develop an indigenous web browser is crucial for ensuring data security, privacy, and digital sovereignty. Given the increasing concerns over data breaches and foreign control over digital infrastructure, Bharat’s own browser will help keep Bharatiya user data within the country and ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act.
The challenge emphasised critical features such as:
- A trust store with a CCA Bharat Root certificate for authentication security.
- Digital signing capabilities within the browser.
- Parental controls and child-friendly browsing.
- Web3 support, making it future-ready for decentralised internet applications.
- Seamless compatibility with all Bharat’s languages.
The indigenous browser will be available on iOS, Windows, and Android, ensuring accessibility across all major platforms.
Bharat’s Vision: Transitioning from a Service Economy to a Product Nation
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Bharat’s IT sector, which currently generates over $282 billion in revenue, has so far been focused on services. However, the Government of Bharat is now pushing for a shift towards product-based technology innovation. The IWBDC is a pivotal step in this transition, encouraging startups, students, academia, and researchers to develop cutting-edge software solutions.
“The Government is actively promoting startups and academia to create software products that can compete globally while addressing Bharat’s unique needs. Developing a secure, indigenous browser is a crucial first step toward establishing an entire Bharatiya Digital Stack that will offer robust security, privacy, and efficiency,” said Vaishnaw.
Rigorous Competition with 434 Registrations
The IWBDC attracted 434 team registrations, showcasing overwhelming interest from the tech ecosystem. The challenge was structured into three progressive stages:
- Ideation Phase
- Prototype Development
- Productisation and Final Evaluation
After a meticulous evaluation, eight finalists presented their browser solutions before a distinguished jury panel. The competition saw a remarkable display of technical ingenuity and a keen focus on addressing Bharat’s digital security concerns.
Key Announcements by Ashwini Vaishnaw
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital self-reliance. He outlined the following key takeaways:
- Bharat’s IT sector generates over $282 billion in revenue, but the focus has largely been on services.
- The government is actively promoting startups and academia to develop software products to transform Bharat into a ‘Product Nation.”
- The IWBDC was launched to develop an indigenous web browser, receiving an enthusiastic response from students, researchers, and startups.
- A total of 58 entries were received, and after a thorough evaluation, three winners were selected.
- The Minister lauded the fact that the winners emerged from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, proving that Bharat’s digital talent is spread far beyond major metros.
- A web browser is the gateway to the internet, making it crucial for web surfing, email, e-office work, and online transactions.
Advantages of an Bhartiya Web Browser:
- Enhanced Data Security – Ensuring that Bharat’s user data remains within the country.
- Privacy Protection – Fully compliant with India’s Data Protection Act.
- Digital Sovereignty – Eliminating dependence on foreign tech companies.
- Platform Compatibility – Available on iOS, Windows, and Android.
The initiative is expected to pave the way for a fully indigenous Indian technology ecosystem, where homegrown products replace imported software in critical areas of digital infrastructure.
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